Everything to Know About Yellowstone’s “1944” Prequel — Delays, Timeline, and What’s Next
Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding Yellowstone universe is far from over — but fans waiting for the long-promised prequel 1944 will have to be patient. The upcoming series, set to explore another generation of the Dutton family during the Second World War, remains in development limbo as Sheridan juggles multiple major projects.
Here’s a full breakdown of everything we know so far about Yellowstone: 1944 — including its setting, likely cast, and the real reason for its delay.
A Legacy of Expansion
Since Yellowstone premiered in 2018, Taylor Sheridan has built a sweeping American saga chronicling the Dutton family’s rise from frontier settlers to powerful landowners. Following the success of 1883 and 1923, which charted the family’s early struggles and triumphs, 1944 was announced as the next chapter in the historical timeline — connecting the early Duttons to John Dutton’s modern-day dynasty.
The flagship series ended in 2024 after a six-year run, but Sheridan’s Western empire continues to grow, with new series like Y: Marshals, The Dutton Ranch, and The Madison already on the slate.
When Will 1944 Premiere?
After 1923 wrapped in April 2025, Variety confirmed that focus would “officially move on to 1944.” However, the show is not expected to begin production until after the release of The Madison, which is set to premiere on Paramount+ in 2025.
In short, don’t expect 1944 to hit screens before late 2026 or 2027.
Sheridan’s schedule is a major factor. His current deal with Paramount runs through 2028, after which he’ll transition to a new five-year partnership with NBCUniversal beginning in 2029 — meaning 1944 could be one of his final Paramount projects before that shift.
What Will 1944 Be About?
Though plot details are tightly under wraps, the series will reportedly take place during World War II, continuing the Dutton legacy against a backdrop of global conflict and domestic change.
If 1883 was about survival and 1923 about expansion, 1944 may explore how the Dutton ranch endured as sons went to war and America transformed once again.
Given that 1923 ended with Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) returning from World War I, it’s likely 1944 will focus on his descendants — possibly his son — as they face a new kind of battle, both at home and abroad.
Will Familiar Faces Return?
While no official cast has been announced, Brandon Sklenar has already expressed interest in reprising his role as an older Spencer Dutton.
“Give me some gout, a little hunch, and some salt and pepper,” he joked in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “If it comes around, I’d love to do it. I definitely don’t want to say goodbye to Spencer. I love that guy.”
Fans are also hoping for clarity on the long-debated family lineage — specifically, whether Spencer is indeed John Dutton III’s grandfather. Sklenar hinted that 1944 may finally provide that answer.
“Hopefully, they’ll reveal it in the first episode,” he teased. “And we won’t have to wait an entire series to find out.”
Why the Delay?
Production delays aren’t new for Sheridan’s universe. The director and writer is known for working at his own pace, often developing scripts only when inspiration strikes.
As Yellowstone director Christina Voros explained:
“We don’t know until we get the scripts what the story is. When it’s time to tell the story, there will be a script in my inbox — and I’ll be happy to saddle up.”
In short: Sheridan writes when he’s ready, not when the studio wants him to.
Other upcoming Yellowstone spinoffs, such as 6666 — which was set to follow Jimmy Hurdstrom (Jefferson White) at Texas’s Four Sixes Ranch — have also stalled in development, suggesting Sheridan’s creative attention is spread thin.
What Fans Can Expect
Whenever it arrives, 1944 promises to bring Yellowstone’s signature blend of family loyalty, frontier grit, and moral grayness to one of the most tumultuous eras in American history. Expect sweeping landscapes, generational conflict, and perhaps the clearest bridge yet between the early Duttons of 1923 and the modern ranchers of Yellowstone.
For now, fans can revisit 1883 and 1923 on Paramount+ — and wait for Sheridan’s next move in what remains television’s most ambitious Western saga.